When your urinary sphincter is working properly, it allows urine to pass from the bladder into the urethra and out of your body. It is a small muscle that controls urine flow, and when the muscle contracts, it closes the opening of the bladder and stops urine from leaving your body. However, if this muscle is not working as it should, you may have urinary incontinence and not be able to control when you pee. It’s possible to have an artificial one implanted, but who is a candidate for an artificial urinary sphincter?
Best Candidates for an Artificial Urinary Sphincter
You must be evaluated by a urologist to determine if you meet the criteria for getting an artificial sphincter. Not everyone is a good candidate.
Initially, you must have severe symptoms, not have gotten any relief from medications, biofeedback, or from any other medical procedures.
Men who have had their prostate removed, known as a prostatectomy, are prime candidates. Prostatectomy can result in urinary incontinence.
In addition, the patient’s bladder must meet the following criteria:
- Must be large enough to hold urine between times of urination
- Must be neurologically unimpaired
- Does not contract on a regular basis causing high bladder pressure, urgency, or frequent urination
In addition, the patient must be able to completely empty their bladder.
Manual Control
Once an artificial sphincter has been implanted, it gives the patient manual control of their urine flow when they are no longer able to do it naturally.
It replaces a damaged urinary sphincter and allows a man to have control over his bladder by keeping the bladder closed until he wants to pee. Then he squeezes a control pump which opens a cuff around the urethra allowing urine to pass through.
It has a high satisfaction rate of 90% and is a great treatment for urinary incontinence in some men.
Women can also have this implant, but it is performed in females significantly less.
Finding the Right Surgeon
It is imperative that you find a surgeon who has the experience and expertise to perform the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter.
If you suffer from post – prostatectomy urinary incontinence, contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation to find out if you are a candidate for an artificial urinary sphincter.
